ALL ENGLAND 2010 SF – Is This to be Lee Chong Wei’s Year?

World number 1 Lee Chong Wei proved to the full NIA arena today that he not only has the credentials to become All England champion tomorrow but he also has […]

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World number 1 Lee Chong Wei proved to the full NIA arena today that he not only has the credentials to become champion tomorrow but he also has the form, game and mental ability to finally win this, the most prestigious of titles, which has eluded him for so many years.

By Mark Phelan (Live in Birmingham). Photo: BadmintonPhoto.com (Live)
The Malaysian was in stunning form today on centre court as he beat the ever-young Peter Gade of Denmark in two straight sets. It was the Dane who settled first and had the balance of the early exchanges as he took a 10-7 lead but it was not long before Chong Wei (pictured) found his semi-final sea legs and steadied the ship as he quickly took control of the match to lead 17-11.
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Gade tried in vain to thwart his Malaysian opponent but Chong Wei’s explosive speed around the court coupled with his ferocious attack had Gade on the back foot for the remainder of the first set, which the Malaysian took 21-17.

In the second set it was Chong Wei who set the pace and direction of the play from the outset and Gade was only able to hold onto his coattails as the lightening quick world number 1 dictated the tempo. Gade, to his credit, never gave up, and the perseverance he showed is exactly what you expect from a player of his undoubted class, but this was Lee Chong Wei’s day as the Malaysian secured the win with a 21-14 win in the second set.

Lee Chong Wei now advances to tomorrow’s final, where he is sure to be installed as favourite and where he will play the winner of the game between Bao Chunlai and Kenichi Tago.

Hear what Lee Chong Wei had to say about his game and his expectations in the exclusive Badzine video interview below.

Meanwhile, after the disappointment of losing the opening match on semi-finals day, Denmark had something to cheer about as Boe and Mogensen (pictured) delivered on the biggest stage of all to move into tomorrow’s final with a 2-set victory over Guo Zhendong and Xu Chen of China.

For all results click HERE

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Badzine’s exclusive interview with Lee Chong Wei:

About Mark Phelan